Dental Crowns
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed. Even after a filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep in mind the jaw muscles can be very strong muscles. Teeth are subjected to tremendous biting pressures. Crowns cover the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth from breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns help to prevent this, as well as making for an esthetically pleasing smile.
How long does it take to fit a dental crown?
Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown.
On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. We will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.
Key Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
- Looks completely natural (pending the type of restorative material selected. See below.)
- Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems
What are the capabilities of crowns?
Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain, or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.
Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which can be due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.
Types of Crowns Available:
- All Ceramic Crowns: This type of material is the most esthetic and blends seamless with the tooth. No dark collars around the gumline! This material has vastly improved over the years and is very strong. It has become the go-to restoration for modern day cosmetic dentistry.
- Porcelain Fused to Gold (metal) Crowns: The Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crown is a solid dental restoration that has been used over the past 40 years in dentistry.
- Zirconia Crowns: These restorations blend strength and esthetics into a durable, yet natural looking crown. These crowns have specific dental indications and are not used as often as all ceramic or PFM crowns.
- Gold: Even though gold is not the most esthetically pleasing restoration, it has proven to be the best material for a dental restoration. The properties of gold are very similar to the properties of enamel (the outer layer of tooth structure); therefore, studies have proven it to have the best longevity of any dental restorative material.